Customer Reviews

In the Line of Duty: A Tribute to New York's Finest and Bravest

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An inspiring and well done collection of photographs and quotations about the tradegy on September 11. The book seems to be founded on the "a picture is worth a thousand words" philosophy, as there is very little text, but in this case, the pictures truly do speak for themselves. The text is mostly quotations regarding both the events themselves and the concepts of such things as freedom, courage, heroism, and America. The most compelling part of this book, however, comes at the end, with the far too long list of police officer and fire fighters who perished in the twin towers that others might live.

In the Line of Duty I found to be a heart breaking look at a piece of what has now become a big part of our history. So many died needlessly at the hands of terrorists and in this book the photo's show all of the terror and fear that was brought upon so many innocent souls. It's a day that no one should ever forget over time and a book that should always be looked upon on how fragile we really are. This book hid nothing.

As a birthday gift I received a copy of "In the Line of Duty: A Tribute to New York's Finest and Bravest", as well as also getting copies of two companion books, "Brotherhood" by Frank McCourt, and "America, September 11: The Courage to Give: The Triumph of the Human Spirit" edited by Jackie Waldman.

These works focus on topics and themes that have intrigued and fascinated me all my life, namely bravery and courage, what they are and what they are not, who has them and who does not. Set within the tragic events of September 11th, these books dealing with these topics and themes compelled me to further reflect, fast forward and synthesize my thinking on bravery and courage.

Bravery and courage have seldom, if ever, been part of my life. Avoiding anything that could cause me physical harm or pain has always been my modus operandi. Being a hero has never been my bag. I don't face fear well. Being a coward is more like it.

But authentic acts of bravery and courage by others have always thrilled and profoundly impacted me to my soul, whether they be in war or everyday life, whether they are done by persons whose job it is to be brave and courageous or by just regular ordinary folks.

On September 11th I had the privilege of witnessing on TV acts true bravery and courage that I will live with me forever. Those were the acts of the firefighters, cops, medical emergency and other rescue personnel caught under and in the burning collapse of the WTC towers.

For the rest of my life, I will get choked up when I think about the kind of bravery and courage it took for those firefighters and others to go into and underneath the towers as they burned and collapsed, just in order to save other people. I'll always think about firefighters, especially FDNY, as authentic real life heroes to honor and admire.

And what about the motivation of the New York firefighters and others on September 11th? Why did they so gallantly rush into those burning towers about ready to collapse?

Sure they were just doing their jobs and what was expected of them. And as public workers they were probably not getting paid a lot. Without a doubt, they have a professional code of honor, a brotherhood and sisterhood dedicated to saving lives. They went into those burning towers because of their families and friends. It was like saving them.

Again, it was because others expected it of them. They gave themselves unselfishly and without thoughts of rewards, either here on earth or in heaven. They did it because saving lives was their job. It was always, always about others. It was never, ever about themselves and what they would gain out of it. It was simply about being brave and courageous because other people relied on them.

In comparison and contrast, a few media pundits have mentioned about the so-called "bravery and courage" of the terrorists who guided and crashed the planes into the WTC towers, and the Pentagon and on the ground in Pennsylvania. Did these terrorists have authentic "bravery and courage" in their suicide missions? Was their "bravery and courage" and motivation even remotely similar to that displayed by the firefighters and other rescuers on September 11th.

The terrorist's murderous acts were initiated and guided by their fanatical belief that God or Allah would reward them and their families with a secure and prominent place in heaven if they went out and killed a large number of unholy infidels in spectacular, theatrical fashion. But not until they sinfully enjoyed themselves drinking at a strip club. A weakness of the flesh I suppose.

This motivation is the creed of extreme Islamic fundamentalism that drove the terrorists on their suicide missions. A creed based on getting instant rewards from God in heaven with their immediate self-gratification and total ego satisfaction. The terrorist's motivation was narcissistic and pure selfishness, not about others or about honor.

These individuals chose not to live and "suffer" any further in an unholy, decadent world created by the West, with America's immoral cultural and spiritual influence, and its economic and political domination of less fortunate nations. They wanted out, get a ticket to heaven and be rewarded everlasting comfort and joy. In other words, it was purely a selfish ego trip. That's what I would call what they did on September 11th. I would never, ever call it courage and bravery.

And in the end, it will never, ever compare to the acts and motivation of the New York firefighters and others on September 11th. That comparison would be a sacrilege and a crime.

Rick Kropp is a recently retired nonprofit organization executive director currently keeping his mind and spirit active as an amateur free-lance writer.

First of all let me say that any tribute to the horrific events of September 11th is an honourable and well-deserved recognition. One never truly understands the endless compassion and devotion towards humanity until we witness those who went beyond the line of duty and gave their lives to save others. The stories of bravery and heroism show us a side of human nature that on a day-to-day basis one does not always see. However, there are other books on the market that I would choose for a keepsake before this one. This is essentially a book of photographs and the quality of black and white photgraphs does not do the book justice. If the reader is looking for a keepsake to pass on to future generations, I would recommend "One Nation: America Remembers September 11, 2001". That book not only contains photographs...it tells a story.

This book provides an unvarnished glimpse at the pain of New York City, the blood and guts of September 11. There's nothing artistic or beautiful here--unless one considers the bounteous love delivered by firemen and women, policemen and women and emergency volunteers.

The Talmud teaches, "He who saves one life saves an entire world." New York City's Finest and Bravest lost 366 of their ranks on September 11 2001. The miracle: Their legions saved 25,000 worlds before two avalanches of dust and heat and ash cascaded into stories of smoldering twisted steel.

No book can fully expose New York City's still gaping wounds. But this one opens the window on that pain, in a manner deeply respectful of those for whom saving 25,000 worlds cost so many of their own. The names of all these fallen heroes are included. Alyssa A. Lappen

I enjoyed the book. It focuses on the people who risked their lives so others may live.

In the Line of Duty, A Tribute to New York's Finest and Bravest, is a photographic tribute to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Police Commissioner, Bernard Kerik, and Fire Commissioner, Thomas Von Essen, provide the forewords for this volume of over 100 photographs.

While there are plenty of shots of the men and women of the two departments in action, there are also photos of the people of New York City, of the towers during and after the attack, and of the memorial services of the fallen.

There are also quotes found throughout the book from the likes of JFK, Faulkner, Walt Whitman, as well as from politicians like Governor Pataki and President Bush. However, all of these quotes can be discarded. The photographs are heartbreaking, touching, and some are quite inspiring - and they can stand on their own.

Sure, some people may find comfort in these quotes. They may need some help to digest the pictures that may be difficult to look at, but I find them out of place - even inappropriate.

These images need no help or assistance in conveying the tragedy and the breadth of destruction that occurred that day. Similarly, they don't need any help in showing the positive force of humanity which rushed to fervently rescue, love, and restore that which others were so quick and determined to cast asunder, hate and diminish. Looking at the images in Line of Duty, you get all of this, and you understand - they are that gripping and that powerful.

The photos hold you in the moment and refuse to allow you to think of anything else. They speak loudly and clearly without the need for any Hallmarkian, rose-colored tainted quotes like those from Governor Pataki:

"But clouds always pass. The sun always breaks through."

Gee thanks. If the pictures don't move you, some verbal chaser can't help you.

There are many photo books out there on the September 11th terrorist attack, and I've seen a number of them. I do recommend In the Line of Duty, A Tribute to New York's Finest and Bravest, which continues to draw me to it over and over again.

I was on my way to a class on 9/11, I remember hearing ona morning talk show that the first plane had hit. Morning DJ's being the clowns they are and being paid to fake and make fun of things,I assumed it was a joke. I wish now it had been. The pictures are moving, I do not know how to put into words the feeling and loss I felt. I did not personally know anyone lost on that fateful day, moments frozen in time. A young friend, a friends child, asked me what the pictures were and why they made my cry. How do you explain that to a child. With the help of this book I thinkI was able to give a 6 year old a small explanation. She asked, "They died helping other people?" Yes.

By now -- March 16, 2005 -- this book has been revealed as a sleazy bit of profiteering by the shameless BERNARD KERIK. KERIK was conducting an extra-marital affair with JUDITH REGAN, publisher of this book, in an apartment overlooking the smoldering ashes of the World Trade Center. (The apartment was INTENDED to be used for rest and recuperation by exhausted rescue workers from Ground Zero!) KERIK's "r&r" in the apartment included "negotiating" a deal with his mistress and publisher (JUDITH REGAN) in which she paid KERIK $75,954.52 for writing an introduction to this book. KERIK's introduction is just eleven sentences long, so KERIK got nearly $7000 per sentence!
Please don't believe REGAN BOOKS' claim that "Publisher's profits will be donated to the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund." If you buy a copy of this book, you will just be contributing to the "r&r" fund of Bernard Kerik, a disgraced buffoon.